Shift box for screed box and bead dispenser box deployment

ABSTRACT

A thermoplastic line striper has a shift box assembly ( 10 ) which guides the screed box ( 12 ) and bead dispenser box ( 14 ) to following positions: 1) the deployed position where the screed box ( 12 ) is down and screed gate ( 18 ) is open and the bead box dispenser wheel is engaged; 2) non-deployed and down on ground where the screed box ( 12 ) is down, the screed gate ( 18 ) is closed and the bead box ( 14 ) dispenser wheel is disengaged; and 3) non-deployed and raised off the ground where the screed box ( 12 ) is raised up, the screed gate ( 18 ) is closed and the bead box dispenser ( 14 ) wheel is disengaged. In this third position, the stick shift ( 20 ) is locked for transport mode by hooking it behind hook ( 22 ) in shift plate ( 24 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/228,688, filed Jul. 27, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Devices for applying thermal markings and striping to roadways and the like are well known.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The shift box will provide a positive and repetitive means for shifting the screed box and bead dispenser from the deployed to the non-deployed position.

The shift box guides the screed box and bead dispenser box to following positions: (1) the deployed position where the screed box is down and screed gate is open and the bead box dispenser wheel is engaged; (2) non-deployed and down on ground where the screed box is down, the screed gate is closed and the bead box dispenser wheel is disengaged; and (3) non-deployed and raised off the ground where the screed box is raised up, the screed gate is closed and the bead box dispenser wheel is disengaged. The stick shift is locked for transport mode.

The shift box assembly for the screed box and bead box allows the boxes of be deployed or nondeployed with one hand. The design of the stick shift provides ergonomically friendly positioning of operator's hand, wrist, arm and back. The guide track of the shift box provides an effortless, accurate, positive and repetitive positioning of both the screed box and bead box dispenser.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a thermoplastic line striper utilizing the instant invention.

FIG. 2 shows detail of the shift mechanism

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The shift box assembly 10 guides the screed box 12 and bead dispenser box 14 to following positions: (1) the deployed position where the screed box 12 is down and screed gate 18 is open and the bead box dispenser wheel 30 is engaged with the ground; (2) non-deployed and down on ground where the screed box 12 is down, the screed gate 18 is closed and the bead box 14 dispenser wheel 30 is disengaged; and (3) non-deployed and raised off the ground where the screed box 12 is raised up, the screed gate 18 is closed and the bead box dispenser 14 wheel 30 is disengaged. In this third position, the stick shift 20 is locked for transport mode by hooking it behind hook 22 in shift plate 24.

When the operator is ready to use the striper 16, it is likely in the third or transport position where the stick shift 20 is locked by hooking it behind hook 22 in shift plate 24. The operator then pulls back slightly on shift lever 20 and moves it laterally to unhook it and then gently allows shift lever to move forward into the second position where the screed box 12 is down, the screed gate 18 is closed and the bead box 14 dispenser wheel is disengaged. When the operator is ready to stripe, he or she pushes forward on shift lever 20 which transfers motion through linkage members 26 and 28 to open screed gate 18. Temporary stripe stoppage may be accomplished by pulling back a bit on shift lever 20.

It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made to the shift box without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. A shift box assembly for use with a thermoplastic line striper having a screed box moveable between up and down positions and a screed gate moveable between open and closed positions, said shift box assembly comprising: a shift lever attached to said screed box and said screed gate; and a latch, said shift lever being moveable between: a first position wherein said screed box is down and said screed gate is open; a second position wherein said screed box is down and said screed gate is closed; and a third position wherein said screed box is up and said screed gate is closed.
 2. The shift box assembly of claim 1 further comprising a bead dispenser box having a dispenser wheel and wherein said shift lever is further attached to said bead dispenser box: wherein in said first position said bead box dispenser wheel is engaged; (2) and the bead box 14 dispenser wheel is disengaged with the ground; and wherein in said second position said bead box dispenser wheel is disengaged from the ground. 